Why Lauri Markkanen Trade is the Key to the 2025 NBA Draft

The Oklahoma City Thunder have played their cards right this offseason. With a masterful approach, they now stand as strong contenders for the 2024 NBA Championship. Yet, with an eye on the future, the Thunder’s treasure trove of picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, especially following the Lauri Markkanen Trade, is the talk of the town.

Why Lauri Markkanen Trade is the Key to the 2025 NBA Draft

Thunder’s 2025 NBA Draft Strategy

OKC is loaded with four first-round picks for the 2025 draft, but the intricacies of protections could shake things up. They still own their pick, likely to be late given their powerhouse roster. The real excitement, though, lies in the picks from their monumental trades involving Paul George and Russell Westbrook.

General Manager Sam Presti holds the cards to swap OKC’s pick with either the Los Angeles Clippers’ or the Houston Rockets’ first-rounder (the latter is top-10 protected). With the Western Conference being a battlefield, it’s highly probable one of these teams ends up in the lottery. Ideally, the Clippers fall short as the swap rights with them are unprotected.

Next up, the Philadelphia 76ers owe OKC a top-six protected first-rounder. This pick was snagged when OKC took on Al Horford’s hefty contract back in 2021. With stars like George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, the pick should fall in the 20s, benefiting OKC greatly.

Moreover, the Thunder are due a lottery-protected first from the Miami Heat. While the Heat are likely to make the Play-In Tournament, the probability is high that they will send their first-rounder to Loud City.

Lastly, the Thunder might receive a first-rounder from the Utah Jazz if it lands outside the top ten. The extension of Lauri Markkanen, an elite scorer, could be the X-factor here. Without him, the Jazz’s chances plummet, making the pick more valuable to OKC.

Draft Picks Breakdown

1. 2025 First-Rounder: Unprotected swap with Clippers or top-10 protected swap with Rockets.
2. 2025 First-Rounder: Via 76ers, top-six protected (becomes top-four protected 2026 first if not conveyed).
3. 2025 First-Rounder: Via Heat, lottery-protected (becomes unprotected 2026 first if not conveyed).
4. 2025 First-Rounder: Via Jazz, top-10 protected (becomes top-eight protected 2026 first if not conveyed).

Top Prospects to Watch

The 2025 draft class is teeming with talent. Cooper Flagg is the crown jewel, an all-around elite defender and offensive powerhouse. Standing 6-foot-9 with a wingspan over 7 feet, he’s poised to be an All-NBA star. V.J. Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Nolan Traore, and Tre Johnson are also top-tier prospects that could revolutionize any franchise.

For the Thunder, the unprotected pick swap with the Clippers is their golden ticket to potentially land one of these game-changing prospects.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are strategically positioned to dominate the 2025 NBA Draft, thanks to their savvy management and valuable trade assets. The potential extension of Lauri Markkanen and the draft pick protections add layers of complexity and intrigue. Keeping an eye on the Clippers and Jazz performances will be crucial for Thunder fans. This draft could redefine the future of the franchise.